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His eyes cut sideways as his hand slid into the freezer, casually withdrawing the package of crab legs and sliding them into his warmup pants. The rough, pebbled shell were uncomfortable against his bare skin, but it was just a short walk out to the parking lot. He began to ease the freezer door closed when a voice sounded from the top shelf.
"Hey!"
Startled, he looked up and blinked in surprise at the small, red figure that scuttled into view:
It spoke in lilting, Caribbean tones as it sternly waggled a claw.
"That looks like my cousin Gerald you got there! Now what you doin' stickin' him in your pants?"
The young man started to hem and haw, but the crab cut him off.
"Just 'cause I got six legs, don't think I don't know a five-finger discount when I see one. Now why you be stealin'?"
"Well, I play college football for a living...but they don't pay us anything. Sometimes we get hungry!"
The crab considered.
"Nobody should have to go to bed on an empty belly, but..."
It broke off, its eyestalks craning forward to study the young man more closely.
"Waaaaaait a minute - I know you! You're not just ANY football player - you won the Heis-mon! Just scribble your name on some photos and you'll be rolling in dough! Even if you get pinched..."
The creature snapped its claw, and then giggled uncontrollably at its own wit.
"...you'll just get a little ol' slap on the wrist."
"Right?"
The young man scuffed his free Nikes on the linoleum floor.
"I don't know, Mister Crab. If I got caught, my situation...
"...might..."
"...be..."
"...different."
Resentment swelled up inside him.
"I think this whole amateurism thing, well...gee, it just stinks!"
The crab threw back its head, or thorax, or however crustaceans are articulated, and laughed.
"You young folk - all the same! Always itchin' to get compensated for your efforts! But maybe being an amateur isn't so bad!"
Pointedly, it waggled a claw at him.
"In fact, I think YOU don't know how good you have it!"
The young man blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Gathering its legs under it, the crab leapt from its perch to land on the the young man's shoulder.
"Why, I'll TELL you what I mean!"
The seaweed is always greener, In somebody else's lake. But here, sex crimes get whitewashed, 'Cause po-po are on the take. Ray Rice can’t even hit his lady Without getting scrutinized. But you can get full-on rapey When you’re (Nittany) lionized! ... Playing for free, Playing for free. Stay fresh and pure Remain amateur, Just take it from me! Even the pros must face the law, But around here nobody saw Any good reason To mess up our season, So you’re off scot free! [Allegedly!] Out there they be deridin’ A man’s right to romance. Talkin’ ‘bout keep it in the pants. But ‘round here the cops are friendly, They’re fine with a little delay. They won’t rush to conclusions Or to swab the DNA. ... Playing for free, Playing for free. No bitch will get sassy Up in Tallahassee, Take it from me! Rape whistles, dey don’t make a sound, Inside of a big football town. You're successful and famous, So don't worry [name redacted for legal reasons], You'll get off scot free! [Allegedly!] Northwestern has slow white boys Who want a piece of the pie. But think what we could be losin' If we kill this beautiful lie. Amateurism is mythic, But myths are powerful things. Men will protect their icons When icons win them rings. ... Playing for free, Playing for free. Maintain your station With Seminole Nation, You’ll be royalty. And royalty can rape and bone Like dey was on ‘De Game of Thrones. That’s quite a good reason To play one more season, So come on, play three!
Leaping back to its perch, the little crustacean regarded the young man expectantly.
"Well...what do you think?"
"Gee, Mr. Crab, maybe I DO have it pretty good."
"I'm still taking these legs, though. Toss me down a pint of those crawfish, would ya?"